Emerging Design Trends From Milan Design City
In a live and virtual design festival held in Milan, brands showed products and design approaches for the current times
With the Salone del Mobile trade fair normally held in Milan each April canceled this year due to the pandemic, a new event recently captured some of that show’s energy. Milan Design City was an expansion of the city’s Fall Design Week into a much bigger festival, with 230 design events held virtually and around the city from Sept. 28 to Oct. 10.
Organized by Fuorisalone.it — which usually runs a citywide design week concurrent with Salone — and the magazine Interni, Milan Design City came with a twist. Whereas the products presented in April at Salone are typically prototypes, those presented at Milan Design City are already on the market, thanks to its autumn date. These new products revealed some interesting trends in how the pandemic is shaping design, as well as changing palettes for flooring and wall finishes and an emphasis on craftsmanship in accessories.
Organized by Fuorisalone.it — which usually runs a citywide design week concurrent with Salone — and the magazine Interni, Milan Design City came with a twist. Whereas the products presented in April at Salone are typically prototypes, those presented at Milan Design City are already on the market, thanks to its autumn date. These new products revealed some interesting trends in how the pandemic is shaping design, as well as changing palettes for flooring and wall finishes and an emphasis on craftsmanship in accessories.
Integralis light by Artemide
Battling viruses and bacteria. Another trend in the world of furniture and lighting is the focus on technological solutions to bolster safety and hygiene in the home.
One example is sanitation technology, such as Artemide’s new Integralis light, seen here. The brand has long been committed to producing lights that do more than just illuminate — previously, for example, it has showcased lighting systems that can transmit data. With Integralis, an app lets users select specific light frequencies that inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi and mold and kill viruses.
Battling viruses and bacteria. Another trend in the world of furniture and lighting is the focus on technological solutions to bolster safety and hygiene in the home.
One example is sanitation technology, such as Artemide’s new Integralis light, seen here. The brand has long been committed to producing lights that do more than just illuminate — previously, for example, it has showcased lighting systems that can transmit data. With Integralis, an app lets users select specific light frequencies that inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi and mold and kill viruses.
Sideways sofa by Rikke Frost for Carl Hansen & Søn
Apart yet connected. Though social distancing is affecting how living spaces evolve, the industry has also been working on developing a new sense of togetherness. New solutions encourage interpersonal communication. For example, Rikke Frost’s organically shaped Sideways sofa, which was also a hit at the 3 Days of Design event in Copenhagen, Denmark, consists of two seats that face each other to encourage conversation.
Apart yet connected. Though social distancing is affecting how living spaces evolve, the industry has also been working on developing a new sense of togetherness. New solutions encourage interpersonal communication. For example, Rikke Frost’s organically shaped Sideways sofa, which was also a hit at the 3 Days of Design event in Copenhagen, Denmark, consists of two seats that face each other to encourage conversation.
Hotel Chimera by Elena Salmistraro for Florim
2. Colorful Floor and Wall Finishes
Ample space at the event was dedicated to floor and wall finishes, which are becoming increasingly influential in interiors. Responding to the cancellation of Cersaie — the major trade fair for finishes and bathrooms usually held in Bologna, Italy, each fall — Milan Design City presented many new ideas in porcelain stoneware.
Bold colors dominated, moving away from a years-long trend of natural-material look-alikes such as wood-effect stoneware. This made room for the creativity and colorful approach of designers such as Patricia Urquiola and Elena Salmistraro.
2. Colorful Floor and Wall Finishes
Ample space at the event was dedicated to floor and wall finishes, which are becoming increasingly influential in interiors. Responding to the cancellation of Cersaie — the major trade fair for finishes and bathrooms usually held in Bologna, Italy, each fall — Milan Design City presented many new ideas in porcelain stoneware.
Bold colors dominated, moving away from a years-long trend of natural-material look-alikes such as wood-effect stoneware. This made room for the creativity and colorful approach of designers such as Patricia Urquiola and Elena Salmistraro.
Abstract Room by Studio Elisa Ossino for Amini Carpets
3. Craftsmanship in Accessories
Milan Design City also highlighted accessories, including rugs, mirrors and bathroom and kitchen decor. It was hard to pin down a particular style trend among the myriad pieces on display, but a general attention to craftsmanship was clear.
Case in point was the Salvatori showroom (next photo). The brand described its space as a demonstration that “the competence and knowledge of local master craftsmen carry on the Italian tradition of dedication to detail and manufacturing skills.”
3. Craftsmanship in Accessories
Milan Design City also highlighted accessories, including rugs, mirrors and bathroom and kitchen decor. It was hard to pin down a particular style trend among the myriad pieces on display, but a general attention to craftsmanship was clear.
Case in point was the Salvatori showroom (next photo). The brand described its space as a demonstration that “the competence and knowledge of local master craftsmen carry on the Italian tradition of dedication to detail and manufacturing skills.”
New interior of the Salvatori showroom in Brera, Italy, where collections of accessories created with Piero Lissoni, Yabu Pushelberg, Elisa Ossino and Federico Babina were shown
4. Innovation and Endurance in the Design Sector
As a “rehearsal” for the next Salone del Mobile or an attempt to recover what was missed in April, Milan Design City sought to demonstrate that the sector is active and intends to use its intelligence, technology and poetic senses to continue generating innovative ideas.
It was clear that something was missing in the lack of international attendees and buyers at this event, but as Giulia Molteni, director of Assarredo, an association of Italian home product manufacturers, said, “We had the opportunity to finally let the world see the novel things that companies were to show in April at the Salone del Mobile, and relive the annual experience of the Fuorisalone in the capital of design.”
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4. Innovation and Endurance in the Design Sector
As a “rehearsal” for the next Salone del Mobile or an attempt to recover what was missed in April, Milan Design City sought to demonstrate that the sector is active and intends to use its intelligence, technology and poetic senses to continue generating innovative ideas.
It was clear that something was missing in the lack of international attendees and buyers at this event, but as Giulia Molteni, director of Assarredo, an association of Italian home product manufacturers, said, “We had the opportunity to finally let the world see the novel things that companies were to show in April at the Salone del Mobile, and relive the annual experience of the Fuorisalone in the capital of design.”
More on Houzz
Read more design event stories
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
1. New Ideas in Response to the Pandemic
Transformable furniture. One clear trend, which we’re seeing at many fairs this year, is transformable furniture. Pieces are becoming more flexible and adapting to the functional changes taking place in different areas of the home.
The event featured numerous solutions for bringing the office into the home while taking up as little space as possible and working multiple functions into a single piece of furniture.